Botham on India

[Dhondy]

Looked horribly smug at change of innings, like a cat that had bought a franchise to the only cream company in town. "Indian fans have gone very quiet. They know this could be a match winning total by SL". But it was the smirk that gave it away. He was rooting for the Sri Lankans. Botham was never one for sitting on the fence. Atherton was his usual restrained self, but didn't look displeased with India's ordeal. His disapproval of India's clout is well known. Gower was avowedly neutral. I can understand the reaction.. It's difficult to cheer on the python as it swallows the buffalo. Thanks to Sharad Pawar, IPL, etc, that's how India is viewed by the rest of the world. Both looked suitably sheepish at the end, although it was quite strange to hear Botham declare "Some of these Indian players are close to retirement and won't be there when India tour us later this year (in 3 months). Wishful thinking? Nevertheless, Dhoni, it seems, has earned their respect like no other captain in recent memory. Just so you guys know, certain sections of the English media, particularly Derk Pringle on The Daily Telegraph, has been taking potshots at India throughout the world cup. Notice he didn't write after the final. Others, like Mike Selvey, have been gracious. Lends a whole new dimension to England v India this summer. Forget the ODIs- the English only care for Tests. Right now, Sehwag's record in NZ and SA hasn't gone unnoticed, nor has the hiatus at number six. But England's biggest hope lies in exploiting India's seam penury. Find that third seamer- Ishant Sharma has just been retired and Zaheer can't carry on much longer with that middle aged sprawl.

[King Tendulkar]

They have not won a test series against us in 14 YEARS. So they can all go stick their heads were the sun dont shine. Atherton is first class moron, fully of jealousy towards India in its total dominace on and off the field. Its a new world order chumps, deal with it!

[satyam1729]

They have not won a test series against us in 14 YEARS. So they can all go stick their heads were the sun dont shine.

15 years.

[King Tendulkar]

Even Nick Knight in his summary had to say " I suppose have to say the best team won" Why suppose, why have to say. Pathetic. IPL has taken over and they cant deal with it. Didnt see these idioits complain when all and sundry around the world used to come over to play the grind of county cricket and bowl 10,000 overs in a summer. Now play few 20/20 its apparently burn out issues.

[Sachin=GOD]

Can't wait for this English tour. Since England has won the Ashes these former cricketers have become too overconfident and it will be very nice to bring them back to earth.

[King Tendulkar]

15 years.

I happily stand corrected. Pujara and Kohli will be generation next for us in tests. We aint stopping. In fact englands attitude is pathetic. They base their whole success on beating one other country in a test series. Pathetic At least ausses wanted to win ashes but also wanted to win everyting else. While england dont care losing every other game they play as long as they win ashes, really sad attitude

[suraj]

and Dhoni's masterful stroke was that he gave them a glimmer of hope with that tie upad chada ke girane ka mazaa hi kuch aur hai !!!!

[King]

Why should it matter to India what Botham reckons? It is their perspective that test cricket is all they care about but I don't reckon England cricket team wouldn't fancy a world cup. It's not surprising the top teams are usually hated by other cricket fans. It's pretty common in all walks of life really. The rest will either draw inspiration from the able or diss them. That should hardly bother the team. Aussie used to be the most hated and it's now India's turn. Just the way of life.

[pinkfreud]

Right from the beginning of the WC, Botham has been very condescending and said 'India were never my favourites to begin with- I'd go with Oz and SA any day.' He's been made to eat humble pie, and his ego doesn't like it one bit. Our win was a beautiful way to answer pr*cks like him.

[apuk79]

Agree everyone hated aussies too when they dominated most of all england they hate everyone!

[cricketfan2010]

Even Nick Knight in his summary had to say " I suppose have to say the best team won" Why suppose, why have to say. Pathetic. IPL has taken over and they cant deal with it. Didnt see these idioits complain when all and sundry around the world used to come over to play the grind of county cricket and bowl 10,000 overs in a summer. Now play few 20/20 its apparently burn out issues.

I have to give it to Nick Knight... He was wholesome in praise... About the Dhoni's last sixer he said something like. "what a shot for the occasion, It made the hair at the back of my neck stand up". I have seen him throughout the tournament and he was always full of praise for Indian batting juggernaut.. Mike Holding had also picked India over Sri Lanka..

[Roshanrocks]

There was a time we used to hate the english, at least during our childhood when we read our history books and found out that these guys ruled us for 150 years or so.... Glad to know the situation's reversed.... :P jk

[suraj]

There was a time we used to hate the english, at least during our childhood when we read our history books and found out that these guys ruled us for 150 years or so.... Glad to know the situation's reversed.... :P jk

Not only the fact that they hate us but even better they are completely irrelevant and ignorable for us

[Precambrian]

I see some of us still need approval from some old blighty to make us feel accepted.

[Sooda]

Good to see ya Doc :icflove:

[flamy]

I happily stand corrected. Pujara and Kohli will be generation next for us in tests. We aint stopping. In fact englands attitude is pathetic. They base their whole success on beating one other country in a test series. Pathetic At least ausses wanted to win ashes but also wanted to win everyting else. While england dont care losing every other game they play as long as they win ashes, really sad attitude

just like the pakis

[Rajiv]

Why should it matter to India what Botham reckons? It is their perspective that test cricket is all they care about but I don't reckon England cricket team wouldn't fancy a world cup. It's not surprising the top teams are usually hated by other cricket fans. It's pretty common in all walks of life really. The rest will either draw inspiration from the able or diss them. That should hardly bother the team. Aussie used to be the most hated and it's now India's turn. Just the way of life.

I am sorry but I am terribly hurt by Bothams ignorance, and the other dickles, pringles, whatever La-dee-da Let the brits focus on the Wedding, leave Cricket to us

[flamy]

I am sorry but I am terribly hurt by Bothams ignorance, and the other dickles, pringles, whatever La-dee-da Let the brits focus on the Wedding, leave Cricket to us

:hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical:

[Sachin=GOD]

I am sorry but I am terribly hurt by Bothams ignorance, and the other dickles, pringles, whatever La-dee-da Let the brits focus on the Wedding, leave Cricket to us

:hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical:

[Sooda]

I happily stand corrected. Pujara and Kohli will be generation next for us in tests. We aint stopping. In fact englands attitude is pathetic. They base their whole success on beating one other country in a test series. Pathetic At least ausses wanted to win ashes but also wanted to win everyting else. While england dont care losing every other game they play as long as they win ashes, really sad attitude

thats so true, the viewed their entire summer last year as a build up to the ashes. I was so hoping the Paks would actually beat them just to burn that smugness. hope we smash them this summer, but I am fearful because of the very busy schedule we have in the buil up. If Zak gets injured we are doomed. The pace attack is still hit and miss as Dhondy points out. And I am not sure about Sehwag opening, Im scared of how he might fare agst Anderson. Kohli should be in the squad and Dravid should be asked to retire.